Double sided lighter

ABSTRACT

Two lighting devices for producing flames, and two fuel compartments for holding combustible liquid fuel such as butane comprises a double sided lighter. Each end of the lighter provides a lighting device, and each lighting device is connected to a fuel compartment. The fuel compartment supplies combustible fuel to the lighting device, which converts the fuel into a flame. The fuel compartments may be disposable or refillable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/015,491, filed Jun. 22, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to novelty items, and in particular to adouble sided lighter. Small items which can be carried in the pocket orpurse, have practical value, but are amusing or provide the startingpoint of an intelligent conversation, are very popular. Noveltykeychains, tiny flashlights, and similar items provide bothentertainment and functionality. A double sided lighter, which providestwo fuel compartments with an aperture and flint at each end to producean adjustable flame, would satisfy this demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a double sided lighter. Thelighter comprises two lighting devices for producing flames, and twofuel compartments for holding combustible liquid fuel such as butane.Each end of the lighter provides a lighting device, and each lightingdevice is connected to a fuel compartment. The fuel compartment suppliescombustible fuel to the lighting device, which converts the fuel into aflame. The fuel compartments may be disposable or refillable.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side transparency view and a front transparency view of thefirst exemplary embodiment, displaying the lighter 10, the top lightingdevice 11A, the bottom lighting device 11B, the top fuel compartment12A, the bottom fuel compartment 12B, the top button 13A, the bottombutton 13B, the top wheel 14A, the bottom wheel 14B, the body 20, thetop end 20A, and the bottom end 20B.

FIG. 2 is a side transparency view and a rear transparency view of thesecond exemplary embodiment, displaying the lighter 10, the top lightingdevice 11A, the bottom lighting device 11B, the top fuel compartment12A, the bottom fuel compartment 12B, the top ignition button 15A, thebottom ignition button 15B, the body 20, the top end 20A, and the bottomend 20B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a double sided lighter 10.

The first exemplary embodiment provides a lighter 10 which comprises abody 20 having a top end 20A and a bottom end 20B. The lighter 10 havingtwo lighting devices for producing flames, a top lighting device 11A anda bottom lighting device 11B. Each lighting device 11A and 11B isconnected to a fuel compartment 12A and 12B for holding combustible,volatile liquid fuel such as butane. The fuel compartments 12A and 12Bbeing located within the body 20 of the lighter. The top lighting device11A is connected to the top fuel compartment 12A and the bottom lightingdevice 12B is connected to the bottom fuel compartment 12B. The top end20A and the bottom end 20B each provide a lighting device, the toplighting device 11A being on the top end 20A and the bottom lightingdevice 11B being on the bottom end 20B. The lighting devices 11A and 11Bprovide a button 13A and 13 B respectively, which opens a valve torelease the combustible fuel from within the fuel compartments 12A and12B respectively. Alternatively, the two fuel compartments 12A and 12 Bmay be connected to allow for the exchange of combustible fuel. Thelighting devices 11A and 11B further provide an ignition wheel 14A and14B respectively. The ignition wheels 14A and 14B strike a concealedflint when turned to produce a spark.

In most respects, the first exemplary embodiment is similar in structureand function to a standard disposable lighter such as a Bic®. The fuelcompartments 12A and 12B may be disposable or refillable. Each lightingdevice 11A and 11B may provide an adjustable valve for regulation of theheight of the flame produced. The user may elect to set the valves todifferent settings for use with different smoking devices or for otherpurposes, such as a low setting on one lighting device 11A for use withcigarettes, and a higher setting on the other lighting device 11B foruse with cigars or pipes, or for lighting the pilot light on a waterheater.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user holds the lighter 10 inone hand with the tip of the thumb on the wheel 14A or 14B. The userthen turns the wheel 14A or 14B with the thumb and immediately pressesthe respective button 13A or 13B with the thumb. This produces a flamewhich will burn as long as the user presses the button 13A or 13B. Theflame may be used to light a cigarette or for other purposes.

The second exemplary embodiment is similar in most respects to the firstexemplary embodiment, except that the buttons 13A and 13B and the wheels14A and 14B are replaced by an ignition button 15A and 15B respectively.By pressing the ignition button 15A or 15B the lighting device bothopens the concealed valve to release fuel as well as sparks a concealedignitor to light the fuel. Each lighting device 11A and 11B and theconnected fuel compartment 12A and 12B respectively are similar instructure and function to a Cricket® disposable lighter.

To use the second exemplary embodiment, the user holds the lighter 10 inone hand with the tip of the thumb on the button 15A or 15B. The userthen presses the button 15A or 15B with the thumb. This produces a flamewhich will burn as long as the user presses the button 15A or 15B. Theflame may be used to light a cigarette or for other purposes.

The lighting devices 11, the buttons 13A and 13B, the wheels 14A and14B, and the ignition buttons 15A and 15B are preferably manufacturedfrom rigid, durable materials, such as steel, aluminum, and plastic. Thebody 20 and the fuel compartments 12A and 12B are preferablymanufactured from a rigid, durable material which may be transparent ortranslucent, such as plastic. Components, component sizes and materialslisted above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternatecomponents and materials could be selected without altering the scope ofthe invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A double sided lighter comprising: (a) a body having a topend and a bottom end; (b) said top end having a top lighting device; (c)said top lighting device comprising a top button, a top ignition wheel,a top concealed flint, and a top concealed valve. (d) said top buttonbeing mechanically connected to said top concealed valve; (e) said topconcealed valve being opened by pressing said top button; (f) said topignition wheel being rotatably mounted; (g) said top ignition wheelbeing in physical contact with said top concealed flint such that whensaid top ignition wheel is rotated a spark is produced by said topconcealed flint; (h) a first fuel compartment being filled with acombustible fuel; (i) said first fuel compartment being mechanicallyattached to said top concealed valve such that when said top concealedvalve is open said combustible fuel is released; (j) said bottom endhaving a bottom lighting device; (k) said bottom lighting devicecomprising a bottom button, a bottom ignition wheel, a bottom concealedflint, and a bottom concealed valve. (l) said bottom button beingmechanically connected to said bottom concealed valve; (m) said bottomconcealed valve being opened by pressing said bottom button; (n) saidbottom ignition wheel being rotatably mounted; (o) said bottom ignitionwheel being in physical contact with said bottom concealed flint suchthat when said bottom ignition wheel is rotated a spark is produced bysaid bottom concealed flint; (p) a second fuel compartment being filledwith a combustible fuel; and (q) said second fuel compartment beingmechanically attached to said bottom concealed valve such that when saidbottom concealed valve is open said combustible fuel is released.
 2. Thedouble sided lighter of claim 1 wherein said top fuel compartment andsaid bottom fuel compartment are refillable.
 3. The double sided lighterof claim 1 wherein said top concealed valve is adjustable such thatdifferent amounts of said combustible fuel is released.
 4. The doublesided lighter of claim 1 wherein said bottom concealed valve isadjustable such that different amounts of said combustible fuel isreleased.
 5. The double sided lighter of claim 1 wherein said first fuelcompartment and said second fuel compartment are connected such thatsaid combustible fuel is exchangeable between said first fuelcompartment and said second fuel compartment.
 6. A double sided lightercomprising: (a) a body having a top end and a bottom end; (b) said topend having a top lighting device; (c) said top lighting devicecomprising a top ignition button, a top concealed ignitor, and a topconcealed valve. (d) said top ignition button being mechanicallyconnected to said top concealed valve; (e) said top concealed valvebeing opened by pressing said top ignition button; (f) said top ignitionbutton being mechanically connected to said top concealed ignitor; (g) afirst fuel compartment being filled with a combustible fuel; (h) saidfirst fuel compartment being mechanically attached to said top concealedvalve such that when said top concealed valve is open said combustiblefuel is released; (i) said bottom end having a bottom lighting device;(j) said bottom lighting device comprising a bottom ignition button, abottom concealed ignitor, and a bottom concealed valve. (k) said bottomignition button being mechanically connected to said bottom concealedvalve; (l) said bottom concealed valve being opened by pressing saidbottom ignition button; (m) said bottom ignition button beingmechanically connected to said bottom concealed ignitor; (n) a secondfuel compartment being filled with a combustible fuel; and (o) saidsecond fuel compartment being mechanically attached to said bottomconcealed valve such that when said bottom concealed valve is open saidcombustible fuel is released.
 7. The double sided lighter of claim 6wherein said first fuel compartment and said second fuel compartment arerefillable.
 8. The double sided lighter of claim 6 wherein said topconcealed valve is adjustable such that different amounts of saidcombustible fuel is released.
 9. The double sided lighter of claim 6wherein said bottom concealed valve is adjustable such that differentamounts of said combustible fuel is released.
 10. The double sidedlighter of claim 6 wherein said first fuel compartment and said secondfuel compartment are connected such that said combustible fuel isexchangeable between said first fuel compartment and said second fuelcompartment.